“It is true that we are seeking an honest compromise with our lenders but don’t expect an unconditional agreement from us,”

Tsipras vowed to stop ‘the bleeding’ in Greece, and repeatedly argued that the country needs a new debt restructuring deal. Greece has a simple choice, he argued, between surrendering, or changing the policies that have caused such economic misery.

Tsipras called on the centre-right opposition party, New Democracy, to back him in negotiations with the ECB, IMF and EC. He also offered the prospect of a new deal, centered around growth, this summer.

GREEK PM TSIPRAS SAYS THIRD BAILOUT WILL NOT BE UNDER DISCUSSION IN JUNE

Guardian: Greek crisis needs realism and compromise

If Greece dropped out of the eurozone, in an accidental “Grexit”, the consequences would be far-reaching. Not only would it damage the EU’s monetary union, the EU itself would be weakened geopolitically. Mr Tsipras must show he has the credentials to be a realistic partner.

But, equally, Greece’s lenders must walk a fine line to prevent a breakup of the European project. Just as importantly for the EU’s democratic credibility, there must be room for negotiation. In Greece as in any country, it is never a good thing when voters’ choices end up being ignored.

The Guardian view on Greece and the eurozone: time for realism and compromise | Editorial

Our Athens correspondent Helena Smith reports:

Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos has addressed parliament, fresh from prison and speaking with the moral upper hand (barely a month before the far-right group’s leadership goes on trial for using the group as a political front to run a criminal organisation).

Michaloliakos is making much of the fact that some MPs have been gagged because they have been behind bars and unable to protest against the “enslaving memorandum.” He is now railing against the proposed reforms as leaked by Bloomberg today.

The far-right leader says:

“Golden Dawn is opposed to every privatisation of sectors of our economy which are linked to our national independence.”

Next up ........ the leader of Greece’s extremist, neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn.

It’s Nikos Mihaloliakos’s first contribution in parliament since he was released from custody a week ago, after 18 months detention (the maximum allowed under Greek law). He is due to stand trial next month on charges of participating in and directing a criminal organization.